Website of the Department of Health

Foreword

It is now over two years since the national suicide prevention strategy for England was launched. The National Institute for Mental Health in England continues to develop the infrastructure at national, regional and local level to work with the many partners helping deliver on the extensive programme of work outlined in the original strategy document. Moreover, we have been able to identify gaps in information and data where further research was necessary to help us deliver evidence based approaches to preventing suicides.

In addition, we are currently reviewing the membership of the Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group which helps provide leadership and support to the many partners and stakeholders working to implement the strategy. This review is necessary to ensure that this overarching group has the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to aid successful implementation of the strategy.

Whilst we must always be cautious when interpreting changes in suicide statistics, current data continue to reflect a downward trend in the rates of suicide in England. However, we must continue to take action on the goals and objectives outlined in the strategy to ensure that this downward trend is maintained.

This report is the second annual report of progress and sets out what has been achieved in the past 12 months and what further actions still need to be taken in the medium and longer term.

Professor Louis Appleby
National Director for Mental Health

• Download National suicide prevention strategy for England: Annual report on progress 2004 (PDF, 641K)